Self-harm
Self-harm is a deliberate self-inflicted action that causes injury to the body.
The most common methods of self-harm include cutting or burning the skin, or overdosing on drugs. Other methods include biting, scratching, bruising, picking or scrubbing skin, poisoning, pulling hair out, punching, kicking or banging against objects, or inserting objects into the body.
No particular "type" of person is prone to self-harming, although it is most prevalent amongst teenagers and young people, and girls and young women are more likely to self-harm than boys and young men. See why do people self-harm for more information.
Other terms used to describe "self-harm" include "self injury", "self-mutilation", "self-wounding", "self-inflicted violence", and "self-destructive behaviour".
If you are somebody who uses self-harm as a method of coping visit the helping yourself section.
People who self-harm are experiencing extreme distress, and need understanding and support. There are ways in which you can help - visit the helping someone else section for more information.
